Automatic analyzer

ABSTRACT

An automatic analyzer analyzes a measurement item by making a sample and reagent react with each other and measuring the reaction result. This apparatus allows parameters associated with reagent dispensing executed by a reagent dispensing mechanism to be set as a dispensing condition for each measurement item or each type of reagent, and controls the reagent dispensing mechanism on the basis of the dispensing condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/563,498filed May 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,808 and further is based uponand claims the benefit of priority from the Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 11-127374, filed May 7, 1999, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sample analyzer having a dispensingmechanism for dispensing a reagent or the like.

An automatic analyzer is an apparatus designed to automatize a procedurefor mixing a reagent into a sample (specimen), e.g., a bodily fluid suchas blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid or tissue and performingcomponent analysis and inspection by checking reactions by light.Analysis and inspection can be done in large quantities at once by usingthis automatic analyzer. Such apparatuses are therefore widely used inhospitals, testing laboratories, and the like, greatly contributing toan improvement in operability.

FIG. 1 shows a general automatic analyzer. General automatic analysisprocessing will be described below with reference to FIG. 1.

First of all, a sampler 2 rotates by a predetermined amount to move asample vessel 201 containing a sample as an analysis/measurement targetto the position of a sample dispensing mechanism 3. The sampledispensing mechanism 3 aspirates the sample through a probe 31, anddischarges the sample in an amount required for analysis processing(required amount) into a reaction vessel 41. Thereafter, a reaction unit4 further rotates and stops at the position of a reagent dispensingmechanism 7 or 8. The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 or 8 aspirates areagent used for a measurement item of the sample in the reaction vessel41 from a reagent reservoir 5 or 6 through a probe 71 or 81, anddischarges the required amount of reagent into the reaction vessel 41,thereby executing reagent dispensing. The reaction vessel 41 then movesto the position of an agitating unit 9, so that the mixture of thesample and reagent in the reaction vessel 41 is agitated by an agitatingrod 91 of the agitating unit 9. The reaction vessel 41 is analyzed by,for example, a photometer (not shown). After the analysis, the reactionvessel 41 is cleaned by a cleaning mechanism 11 and used for the nextsample analysis.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are views for explaining one cycle of dispensingoperation by the sample dispensing mechanism 3, 7, or 8 shown in FIG. 1.Although FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show a cross-section of the probe 71 ofthe reagent dispensing mechanism 7 as an example, its arrangement andoperation are the same as those of the sample dispensing mechanism 3 or8.

Dispensing executed by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 will bedescribed next.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the probe 71 before the aspiration of thereagent. FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the probe 71 after theaspiration of the reagent. FIGS. 2C and 2D are sectional view of theprobe 71 after the discharge of the reagent.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the probe 71 before the aspiration of the reagentis filled with water 711 that is aspirated in advance. The reagentdispensing mechanism 7 moves up and down and rotates to insert the probe71 into a reagent vessel 51, and aspirates a predetermined amount ofreagent at a predetermined aspiration speed, as shown in FIG. 2B. InFIG. 2B, a measurement reagent 714 is a reagent that is discharged intothe reaction unit 4 in an amount required for measurement. An air gap712 is an air layer that is aspirated before the aspiration of thereagent to prevent the mixing of the reagent with the water. The reagentaspirated as shown in FIG. 2B is discharged as shown in FIG. 2C to beset in the state shown in FIG. 2D. Thereafter, the inside of the probe71 is cleaned with water 111, and one cycle of reagent dispensing iscompleted.

In general, when a reagent is aspirated in dispensing, an excess amount713 of reagent is aspirated as shown in FIG. 2B, in addition to theamount of reagent required for measurement. This operation is performedto compensate for a decrease in reagent concentration due to the mixingof the reagent with the water left on the inner wall of the probe 71.

This reagent aspirated in an excess amount will be referred to as“reagent dummy” hereinafter. In general, the amount of reagent dummy 713is determined as, for example, <discharge amount×8%+6 μl> in accordancewith the amount of reagent discharged. This mathematical expression isapplied regardless of the measurement item (the type of reagent). Notethat the measurement reagent 714 and reagent dummy 713 are the same, butare illustrated distinct from each other in FIGS. 2A to 2D for the sakeof descriptive convenience.

Recently, as a method of decreasing the running cost of the automaticanalyzer 1, an attempt has been made to decrease the amount of reagentdummy. In this case, according to a conventional automatic analyzer, theamount of reagent dummy is uniformly decreased from, for example,<discharge amount×8%+6 μl> to <discharge amount×4%+3 μl> regardless ofthe analysis item or the type of reagent.

Depending on the measurement item (reagent), however, the reagent mayscatter or drip from the distal end of the probe 17 when the reagent isdischarged, as shown in FIG. 3. This inconvenience occurs because whenthe amount of reagent dummy is changed, the density and the like vary,and the physical condition for proper dispensing falls outside anallowable range.

Reagents have different components and properties (e.g., surface activeeffect, viscosity, foaming, and the like). For example, even at the samedischarge speed, reagents are basically discharged from the probe indifferent states depending on their types. Even at a discharge speed atwhich a given reagent does not foam, another reagent may scatter or dripwhen they are discharged, or agitation of another reagent and a samplemay become insufficient in dispensing operation. As described above,therefore, if the amount of reagent dummy is decreased uniformlyregardless of the analysis item or type of reagent, the occurrence ofsuch an inconvenience seems inevitable.

According to the conventional automatic analyzer, factors (e.g., theamount of reagent dummy described above) that determine the physicalcondition of a reagent in dispensing cannot be defined for each analysisitem or each type of reagent. This leads to a low degree of freedom interms of the use of the apparatus and low compatibility with respect toreagents, as typically indicated by the above reduction in reagent dummyamount.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and hasas its object to provide an automatic analyzer which allows factors thatdefine the physical condition of a reagent in dispensing to be definedfor each analysis item or each type of reagent, exhibits a high degreeof freedom in terms of the use of the apparatus, and more specifically,dispensing, and is compatible to any kind of reagent.

The present invention according to the first aspect is an automaticanalyzer for analyzing a measurement item by making a sample and areagent react with each other and measuring a reaction result whichcomprises: reagent dispensing means for executing a dispensing operationwherein the reagent dispensing means aspirates the reagent from areagent vessel and discharges the reagent into a reaction vessel; andcontrol means for controlling the dispensing operation for eachmeasurement item or each reagent on the basis of a parameter associatedwith dispensing of the reagent.

The present invention according to the second aspect is an analyzeraccording to the first aspect wherein the parameter includes at leastone of an aspiration speed of the reagent a discharge speed of thereagent, an air gap amount, and a reagent dummy amount in the dispensingoperation by the reagent dispensing means.

The present invention according to the third aspect is an apparatusaccording to the second aspect wherein the apparatus further comprisessetting means for setting the parameter and the control means controlsthe dispensing operation for each measurement item or each reagent onthe basis of the parameter set by the setting means.

The present invention according to the fourth aspect, an apparatusaccording to the second aspect wherein the apparatus further comprisesstorage means for storing the plurality of predetermined parameters andthe control means controls the dispensing operation for each measurementitem or each reagent on the basis of the parameter selected from thestorage means by an operator.

The present invention according to the fifth aspect of, an apparatusaccording to the second aspect wherein each of the aspiration anddischarge speed is determined by an initial speed, a maximum speed, afinal speed of the dispensing a time interval between the initial speedand the maximum speed, and a time interval between the maximum speed andthe final speed in the dispensing operation by the reagent dispensingmeans.

The present invention according to the sixth aspect, an apparatusaccording to the second aspect wherein the control means controls thedispensing operation on the basis of a dispensing condition constitutedby a combination of predetermined values of the respective parameterswhich are set for each measurement item or each reagent.

The present invention according to the seventh aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method of analyzing a measurement item by making asample and a reagent react with each other and measuring a reactionresult which comprises the steps of: executing a dispensing operationwherein the reagent dispensing means aspirates the reagent from areagent vessel and discharges the reagent into a reaction vessel; andcontrolling the dispensing operation for each measurement item or eachreagent on the basis of a parameter associated with dispensing of thereagent.

The present invention according to the eighth aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method according to seventh aspect wherein theparameter includes at least one of an aspiration speed of the reagent, adischarge speed of the reagent, an air gap amount, and a reagent dummyamount in the dispensing operation by the reagent dispensing means.

The present invention according to the ninth aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method according to the eighth aspect wherein thecontrol method further comprises the step of setting the parameter andthe controlling step controls the dispensing operation for eachmeasurement item or each reagent on the basis of the parameter set bythe setting means.

The present invention according to the tenth aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method according to the eighth aspect wherein thecontrolling step controls the dispensing operation for each measurementitem or each reagent on the basis of a parameter set which is selectedfrom the plurality of predetermined parameters.

The present invention according to the eleventh aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method according to the eighth aspect wherein each ofthe aspiration and discharge speed is determined by an initial speed, amaximum speed, a final speed of the dispensing, a time interval betweenthe initial speed and the maximum speed, and a time interval between themaximum speed and the final speed in the dispensing operation by thereagent dispensing means.

The present invention according to the twelfth aspect is an automaticanalyzer control method according to the eighth aspect wherein thecontrolling step controls the dispensing operation on the basis of adispensing condition constituted by a combination of predeterminedvalues of the respective parameters which are set for each measurementitem or each reagent.

According to any one of the aspects described above, an automaticanalyzer which exhibits a high degree of freedom in terms of dispensingand is compatible to any kind of reagent can be implemented.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic analyzer;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are views for explaining one cycle ofdispensing operation by the sample dispensing mechanism 3, 7, or 8 shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the dispensing operation of the sampledispensing mechanism 3, 7, or 8 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a dispensing condition table indicating thedispensing conditions defined by four parameters;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a setting window for setting a dispensingcondition for each analysis item or each type of reagent;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are views showing setting windows for manuallysetting the respective dispensing parameters;

FIG. 7A is a graph showing the relationship between the speed and timein “condition 1”, and FIG. 7B is a graph showing the relationshipbetween the speed and time in “manual condition 1”; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing setting windows for manually settingthe respective dispensing parameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the views of the accompanying drawing. In the followingdescription, the same reference numerals denote constituent elementshaving substantially the same functions and arrangements, and arepetitive description will be made only when required.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic analyzer according to thepresent invention.

The arrangement of an automatic analyzer 1 according to the presentinvention will be described in brief first with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic analyzer 1 is comprised of a sampledispensing mechanism 3, reagent dispensing mechanisms 7 and 8, anagitating unit 9 for agitating the mixture of a sample and a reagent, areaction unit 4 in which reaction vessels 41, each used for the reactionof a sample and a reagent, are disposed, a cleaning mechanism 11, asampler 2 in which sample vessels 201 for containing samples aredisposed, and reagent reservoirs 5 and 6 in which reagent vessels 51 and61 containing various reagents are disposed.

Automatic analysis processing including reagent dispensing executed bythe automatic analyzer 1 will be described first.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sampler 2 rotates by a predetermined amount tomove the sample vessel 201 (e.g., a test tube) containing a sample as ananalysis/measurement target to the position of the sample dispensingmechanism 3. The sample in the sample vessel 201 mounted in the sampler2 is aspirated by the sample dispensing mechanism 3 having a probe 31 bya predetermined amount and discharged into a plurality of reaction tubes4 made of hard glass or the like.

Subsequently, the reaction unit 4 further rotates and stops at theposition of the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 or 8. The reagentdispensing mechanisms 7 and 8 rotate and move up and down to insertprobes 71 and 81 into the reagent vessels 51 and 61. In accordance withthe contents described later, the reagent dispensing mechanisms 7 or 8aspirates a reagent used for a measurement item of the sample in thereaction vessel 41 from the reagent reservoir 5 or 6 through the probe71 or 81, and discharges the reagent into the reaction vessel 41 in arequired amount, thus dispensing the reagent. Note that the aspirationand discharge through the prove 71 or the like are executed by a pump(not shown).

After the reagent is dispensed into the reaction unit 4, the reactionvessel 41 moves to the position of the agitating unit 9. The sample andreagent in the reaction unit 4 are then agitated and mixed by theagitating unit 9 having an agitating member.

After the agitating/mixing operation, the absorbance of the sample inthe reaction vessel 41 is measured by a photometric unit (not shown),thereby analyzing a specific component of the sample. In addition, aspecific electrolyte is measured by an electrolyte measuring unit 10, asneeded.

After the above specific component analysis or electrolyte measurement,the reaction unit 4 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 11.

Each sample set in the sampler 2 is repeatedly analyzed by such a seriesof operations.

Reagent dispensing operation executed by the automatic analyzer 1 willbe described next. The dispensing operation is a series operation foraspirating the reagent from the reagent vessel 51, 61 and dischargingthe reagent into the reaction vessel 41. Control on this dispensing is aspecially important point of the present invention and will be describedbelow. Assume that four factors that determine the physical condition ofa reagent in dispensing are regarded as parameters (to be referred to asdispensing parameters hereinafter) associated with reagent dispensingoperation. As these dispensing parameters, unique values are set foreach analysis item or each type of reagent, and dispensing operation isexecuted on the basis of the set values of the dispensing parameters.

Note that control associated with this dispensing operation is executedby a control unit (not shown). In the following description, the reagentdispensing mechanism 7 will be exemplified. However, the same controlcan be applied to each reagent dispensing mechanism.

Dispensing parameters will be described below. As parameters associatedwith dispensing operation (i.e., dispensing parameters), the followingfour parameters are conceivable: “aspiration speed”, “discharge speed”,“air gap amount”, and “dummy amount”.

“Aspiration speed” indicates the dispensing speed of a reagent when thereagent dispensing mechanism 7 aspirates the reagent from the reagentvessel 51 through the probe 71. “Discharge speed” indicates thedispensing speed of a reagent when the reagent dispensing mechanism 7discharges the reagent into the reaction vessel 41 through the probe 71.“Air gap amount” indicates the volume of a space produced between awater portion and a reagent portion when the reagent dispensingmechanism 7 aspirates water through 71 first, and then aspirates airbefore the aspiration of the reagent so as to prevent the mixing of thereagent with the water. “Dummy amount” indicates the volume of a reagentdummy aspirated from the reagent vessel 51 by the reagent dispensingmechanism 7 through the probe 71.

At least one of these four parameters is associated with the occurrenceof scattering, dripping, or foaming of a reagent, a discharge amounterror, or the like which affects measurement in reagent dispensing. Forexample, “air gap amount” is a parameter that affects the amount ofreagent discharged. An error may occur in the amount of reagentdischarged owing to the pressure difference between the reagent and theair gap in draining the reagent from the probe.

FIG. 4 shows a dispensing condition table showing dispensing conditionsdefined by the above four parameters and the characteristics of theconditions. This dispensing condition table is stored in a storage unit(not shown) in the automatic analyzer 1.

The dispensing conditions are defined by combinations of the set valuesof the four parameters recommended by the apparatus in accordance withpurposes. For example, “TYPE-1” aims at reducing the amount of reagentdummy and represents a dispensing condition in which the respectiveparameters are set as follows: “aspiration speed”=an aspiration speed orrate (ml/s) measured at a point of time that is during the periodbetween the start and the end of aspiration (or a pumping rate [pps] atwhich the pump is driven at a point of time that is during the periodbetween the start and end of aspiration), “discharge speed”=a dischargespeed or rate (ml/s) measured at a point of time that is during theperiod between the start and the end of discharge (or a pumping rate[pps] at which the pump is driven at a point of time that is during theperiod between the start and end of discharge), “air gap amount”=a μl,and “dummy amount”=b %+c μl (a, b and c, are constants). The operatorselects a condition applied to each measurement item (reagent) fromthese dispensing conditions.

FIG. 5 shows a setting window for setting a dispensing condition foreach analysis item (each type of reagent).

The operator sets a dispensing condition for each analysis item (eachtype of reagent) through this setting window displayed on a display unit(not shown) before, for example, the start of analyzing operation. Thisdispensing condition setting is executed by selecting a desiredcondition from the above table. Each reagent is dispensed on the basisof the corresponding dispensing condition set in this manner. Note thatthe contents set through this window can be changed by invoking thesetting window shown in FIG. 5 at an arbitrary timing when aninconvenience occurs during reagent dispensing.

The variety of dispensing operations can be increased by adding newdispensing conditions to the dispensing condition table shown in FIG. 4by external input operation or the like. If required, the operator canmanually set new dispensing conditions. This manual setting ofdispensing conditions will be described in detail later.

According to this arrangement, the above four parameters can be set foreach analysis item or each type of reagent. Therefore, an automaticanalyzer exhibiting a high degree of freedom in uses associated withdispensing in particular can be provided.

Several examples of dispensing implemented by the automatic analyzerhaving the above arrangement will be described below.

EXAMPLE 1 The Amount of Reagent Dummy is to be Reduced

Assume that the amount of reagent dummy is reduced to reduce the runningcost in association with item A shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, in item A, “DEFAULT” is set as a dispensingcondition. In this case, the operator can reduce the amount of reagentdummy as compared with the previous amount by setting dispensingcondition “TYPE-1”, which aims at reducing the amount of reagent dummy,as a new dispensing condition in item A. Alternatively, as describedlater, the operator may simply reduce only the amount of reagent dummyby manual operation.

With regard to many types of reagents, the amounts of reagent dummiescan be reduced by changing the dispensing condition to “TYPE-1”. Inaddition, proper dispensing can be performed. Depending on reagents,however, inconveniences such as foaming and dripping may occur uponmaking a change to dispensing condition “TYPE-1”. In some case, theseinconveniences can be eliminated by changing the set values of the threeother parameters as well as the amount of reagent dummy.

That is, the four parameters influence the physical state of a reagentin dispensing operation as they correlate with each other in acomplicated manner. Therefore, preferable dispensing (in this case,minimizing the amount of reagent dummy without causing any inconveniencesuch as foaming) may be implemented by manipulating the three otherparameters instead of only reducing the amount of reagent dummy. It is,however, difficult to artificially manipulate these four parametershaving a complicated correlation so as to perform proper dispensing.This poses a problem in terms of convenience. For these reasons, theautomatic analyzer according to this embodiment uses the concept of adispensing condition constituted by a combination of set values toperform dispensing control for each measurement item or each type ofreagent in accordance with the dispensing condition.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, in the automatic analyzer according tothis embodiment, a plurality of recommended dispensing conditions, otherthan “TYPE-1”, associated with a reduction in the amount of reagentdummy are prepared. The operator may examine/inspect these recommendeddispensing conditions to set an optimum dispensing condition for thepurpose of reducing the amount of reagent dummy without causing anyinconvenience such as foaming.

According to this arrangement, the amount of reagent dummy can be easilyreduced while a proper dispensing precision is maintained. Even if aninconvenience such as foaming occurs when the amount of reagent dummy isreduced, a dispensing condition suitable for the purpose can be quicklyand easily examined and set.

EXAMPLE 2 Reagent Having High Specific Gravity

In general, when a reagent is discharged onto a sample in dispensingoperation, it can be expected that the reagent and sample are agitated.With a reagent having a high specific gravity, however, this agitatingeffect may be low. Assume that in this example, a reagent used for itemB in FIG. 5 has a high specific gravity, and dispensing is performed toobtain a high agitating effect by setting a high discharge speed or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 5, in item B, “TYPE-1” is set as a dispensingcondition. In this case, when the operator sets dispensing condition“TYPE-2” aiming at improving the agitating effect as a new dispensingcondition in item B, an agitating effect higher than that in generalreagent dispensing can be obtained. Alternatively, the operator maysimply increase the discharge speed by manual operation, as will bedescribed later. As described in Example 1, however, control based ondispensing conditions is superior in operability.

Assume that an inconvenience such as foaming occurs when the dispensingcondition is changed to “TYPE-2”. In this case, the operator mayexamine/inspect a plurality of dispensing conditions (not shown in FIG.4), other than “TYPE-2” recommended by the apparatus, aiming atimproving the agitating effect so as to set an optimum dispensingcondition for the purpose of reducing the amount of reagent dummywithout causing any inconvenience (foaming in this case).

With this arrangement, the operator can easily improve the agitatingeffect while maintaining a proper dispensing precision. In addition,even if an inconvenience such as foaming occurs in a predetermineddispensing condition, a dispensing condition suitable for the purposecan be quickly and easily examined/set.

EXAMPLE 3 Others

In other cases wherein, for example, dripping occurs, which is likely tobe caused in a reagent having a high viscosity, and scattering occursbecause of improper parameter values, such inconveniences can beproperly handled by examination/inspection performed in the same manneras described above.

EXAMPLE 4 New Reagent

An example of how dispensing conditions are set for new reagents will bedescribed next.

Recently, new reagents have been developed one after another.Conventional automatic analyzers may not be suited for these reagents.This is because these analyzers cannot perform control based ondispensing parameters for each measurement item (each type of reagent),and have low compatibility with reagents.

In contrast to this, the automatic analyzer according to this embodimentcan properly dispense even a new reagent by the following procedure. Anew reagent will be referred to as a reagent X hereinafter.

First of all, for example, dispensing condition “DEFAULT” is set, anddispensing is executed. If no inconvenience occurs in dispensing in thisdispensing condition, an attempt may be made to reduce the amount ofreagent dummy so as to reduce the running cost. The amount of reagentdummy is reduced by the same procedure as described above.

If an inconvenience such as foaming, dripping, or scattering occurs indispensing in dispensing condition “DEFAULT”, each inconvenience ishandled by a corresponding measure. This handling method has also beendescribed above.

In this manner, dispensing is experimentally executed in, for example,dispensing condition “DEFAULT”, and proper dispensing conditions areinspected/examined in accordance with purposes thereafter, therebyproperly dispensing even new reagents.

According to this arrangement, therefore, even if a new reagent isintroduced, an optimum dispensing condition can be quickly and easilyexamined/set for the reagent.

EXAMPLE 5 Manual Operation

Manual setting of dispensing parameters will be described next.

As described in Examples 1 to 4, the automatic analyzer according tothis embodiment basically performs control on dispensing byselecting/setting a dispensing condition stored in advance for eachmeasurement item (each type of reagent). In some case, however, theoperator may want to manually set dispensing parameters.

The automatic analyzer according to this embodiment can executedispensing control based on manual setting by the operator, thus furtherincreasing the degree of freedom in dispensing.

Three methods of setting two dispensing parameters, i.e., the aspirationspeed and discharge speed of a reagent, will be described first.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C respectively show setting windows for settingaspiration speeds and discharge speeds based on the probe 71 for therespective measurement items (the respective types of reagents). Thesewindows are displayed on the display unit (not shown).

First, an example of setting an aspiration speed and discharge speed bythe first method will be described next.

FIG. 6A shows a setting window for setting an aspiration speed anddischarge speed by the first method.

The operator sets the aspiration and discharge speeds of a reagentthrough the setting window in FIG. 6A before, for example, dispensingoperation. The operator sets these aspiration and discharge speeds byarbitrarily selecting them from a plurality of speed conditionsclassified into condition 1 to condition n in advance. Each speedcondition is a reagent speed pattern that is set by the initial speed,maximum speed, and final speed at which the reagent dispensing mechanism7 aspirates or discharge a reagent, the time interval between theinitial speed and the maximum speed or the time interval between themaximum speed and the final speed, and the like. For example, FIG. 7Ashows the relationship between the time and the dispensing speed of areagent in “condition 1”.

As described above, an aspiration speed and discharge speed are set byselecting them from n speed conditions predetermined by setting speedchanges in steps. This arrangement is employed in consideration of theconvenience to the operator. With this arrangement, therefore, anautomatic analyzer exhibiting high operability and a high degree offreedom in dispensing can be provided.

An example of setting an aspiration speed and discharge speed by thesecond method will be described next. The second method is a method ofcreating and setting an arbitrary speed pattern by arbitrarily changinga desired part, e.g., the initial speed or maximum speed, on the basisof condition i (i is one of n conditions 1 to n) of speed conditionsinstead of selecting and setting an aspiration speed and discharge speedfrom speed conditions.

Assume that a new speed pattern based on condition 1 is to be manuallyset with respect to the aspiration speed of reagent B in FIG. 6A. Theoperator performs predetermined operation in the setting window in FIG.6A to display the speed pattern graph (shown in FIG. 7A) defined bycondition 1 on the display unit. The operator then creates a new “manualcondition 1” by changing a desire part of the displayed speed pattern inFIG. 7A with an input unit (keyboard or mouse) as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B shows the speed pattern of “manual condition 1” created bychanging only the initial speed of the speed pattern defined bycondition 1 in FIG. 7A.

The operator may set “manual condition 1” created in this manner as anaspiration speed as shown in FIG. 6B.

As described above, in the second method, an aspiration speed anddischarge speed are set on the basis of the speed pattern defined by apredetermined speed condition. This arrangement is employed inconsideration of the convenience to the operator. According to thisarrangement, therefore, an automatic analyzer exhibiting highoperability and a high degree of freedom in dispensing can be provided.

An example of setting an aspiration speed and discharge speed by thethird method will be described next. In the third method, all changes inreagent dispensing speed over time (i.e., the initial speed, maximumspeed, final speed, the time interval between the initial speed and themaximum speed or the time interval between the maximum speed and thefinal speed, and the like) are manually set to arbitrary values withoutbeing based on any speed condition. Manual setting by the third methodwill be referred to as “full manual setting”, and the speed condition bythe full manual setting will be referred to as “full manual condition”hereinafter.

Assume that a discharge speed is set for reagent C in FIG. 6A by fullmanual setting. The operator can define a full manual condition bydirectly setting numerical values upon predetermined operation orcreating a graph like the one shown in FIG. 7A. The operator may setthis condition as “full manual condition”, as shown in FIG. 6C. Notethat “2” added to “full manual condition” is a suffix for discriminatinga plurality of full manual conditions from each other.

As described above, in the third method, an aspiration speed anddischarge speed are set by full manual setting. This arrangement isemployed to provide an automatic analyzer having a higher degree offreedom in dispensing.

Note that “air gap amount” and “reagent dummy amount” can also be set byselecting values from predetermined values as in the first settingmethod. Alternatively, these values may be set by directly inputtingnumerical values using the third method.

An example of dispensing by a manual setting method will be describednext.

Assume that measurement items for a sample as a measurement targetcontained in the reaction vessel 41 are items A, B, and C (or reagentsA, B, and C used for measurement), as shown in FIG. 6A. In this case,the operator sets speed conditions of “aspiration speed” and “dischargespeed” for the respective items (or reagents) by selecting them from“condition 1” to “condition n” before the aspiration of the reagents.If, for example, the operator selects “condition 1”, reagent A used formeasurement item A is aspirated through the probe 71 in accordance withthe speed pattern of condition 1 (see FIG. 7A). The reagent A is thendischarged into the reaction vessel 41, in which the sample as themeasurement target is contained, in accordance with the speed pattern ofcondition 1.

Assume that foaming, dripping, or scattering occurs in dispensingreagent A. In this case, with regard to “aspiration speed” and“discharge speed” of reagent A, the operator examines/inspects speedconditions in which no foaming, dripping, or scattering occurs, and setscondition i (i is one of n conditions 1 to n) shown in FIG. 7B which isset to execute optimum dispensing.

The operator can also set new “manual condition i” by arbitrarilychanging a desired part, e.g., the initial speed, on the basis ofcondition i. Referring to FIG. 7B, an example of “manual condition i”set by changing only the initial speed of condition i is indicated bythe chain line.

In addition, the operator can arbitrarily set an initial speed, maximumspeed, final speed, time interval between the initial speed to themaximum speed or time interval between the maximum speed and the finalspeed, and the like as “full manual condition”, as needed.

If foaming, dripping, or scattering occurs during dispensing of areagent for measurement item B (reagent B) or measurement item C(reagent C), the same processing as that for reagent A may be performed.

Since a reagent aspiration or discharge state can be controlled for eachmeasurement item (each type of reagent) in this manner, the differencein aspiration or discharge state between different types of reagents canbe accurately comprehended. This makes it possible to properly dispenseany types of reagents in accordance with the reagents.

Examples of methods of reducing the amount of reagent dummy to reducethe running cost on the basis of a manual setting method will bedescribed next with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIGS. 8A and 8B showsetting windows for setting the values or conditions of the respectivedispensing parameters. These windows are displayed on the display unit(not shown).

The operator inputs data of the respective parameters, “aspirationspeed”, “discharge speed”, “air gap amount”, and “reagent dummy amount”,through the setting window in FIG. 8A before, for example, the start ofanalysis processing. With regard to “aspiration speed”, and “dischargespeed”, conditions are set by the first and second setting methods. Withregard to “air gap amount” and “reagent dummy amount”, numerical valuesare directly input and set for each measurement item (each type ofreagent) by the third setting method. In this case, in order to reducethe amount of reagent dummy, 10 μl is set, which is half the general“reagent dummy amount”, 20 μl.

Each reagent used for a corresponding measurement item and air areaspirated through the probe 71 and discharged into the reaction vessel41, in which a sample as a measurement target is contained, inaccordance with the dispensing parameter settings shown in FIG. 8A.

Assume that foaming, dripping, or scattering occurs when, for example,reagent A is dispensed. In this case, with regard to dispensingparameters “aspiration speed”, “discharge speed”, “air gap amount”, and“reagent dummy amount” for reagent A, the operator examines/inspectsconditions or numerical values with which no foaming, dripping, orscattering occurs. In accordance with this result, the operator sets anumerical value or condition of a parameter that needs to be changedthrough the setting window with an input device (e.g., a keyboard ormouse) (not shown) again. More specifically, assume that reagent Afoams, drips, or scatters in dispensing operation because of anexcessive reduction in the amount of reagent dummy, and no foaming orthe like occurs when the amount is 12 μl or more. In this case, forexample, the value of “reagent dummy amount” of reagent A in the settingwindow may be changed from “10 μl” to “12 μl”.

Assume also that reagent C did not foam with the initially set data. Inthis case, since the amount reagent dummy may be further reduced, theoperator may examine/inspect the limit of the reduction in reagent dummyamount. If the amount of reagent dummy can further reduced, the operatorcan set a corresponding amount (e.g., 8 μl).

Note that foaming and the like in dispensing may be prevented by furthercombining the conditions or numerical values of the respectivedispensing parameters described above. In this case, the conditions ornumerical values of the parameters are preferably changed to furtherreduce the amount of reagent dummy.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8B, a setting window may be configured toset only “discharge speed” and “reagent dummy amount” which aredispensing parameters that influence photometry or electrolytemeasurement after dispensing in particular.

As described above, since reagent dispensing can be controlled for eachmeasurement item (or each type of reagent) on the basis of dispensingparameters such as the amount of reagent dummy, the differences inaspiration or discharge state between different types of reagents can beaccurately comprehended even if the amount of reagent dummy is reduced.This makes it possible to properly dispense any types of reagents whileeffectively reducing the running cost.

The present invention has been described in its preferred embodimentsbut is not limited to them. Various changes and modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, asindicated by, for example, (1) and (2) below.

(1) Setting of dispensing parameters often depends on the physicalquantities of a reagent, e.g., viscosity, specific gravity, and surfaceactive effect. The apparatus may therefore be configured to selectproper dispensing conditions or several recommended dispensingconditions by inputting these physical quantities of a reagent. In thiscase, each physical quantity of a reagent is preferably input by readinga bar code attached to a reagent vessel by a reagent maker.

According to this arrangement, a further improvement in operability canbe realized. In addition, since inconvenience is input by opticalreading, human input errors can be prevented.

(2) In the above embodiment, when “speed condition” is to be set withrespect to each of dispensing parameters “aspiration speed” and“discharge speed”, a condition that allows the execution of properdispensing is selected from predetermined n conditions uponexamination/inspection. If, however, there are many predeterminedconditions, it takes much time and labor to examine/inspect theconditions. This may lead to a deterioration in operability.

In order to efficiently perform above examination/inspection, inaddition to the above arrangement, this apparatus may therefore beconfigured to have a search unit for searching n conditions for “speedcondition” that is most similar to the contents of a condition set as“manual condition” or “full manual condition”.

More specifically, assume that foaming, dripping, or scattering occursin dispensing that is executed upon setting condition i as “speedcondition”. In this case, the operator arbitrarily sets manual conditioni or full manual condition i in which proper dispensing can be executedaccording to “manual condition” or “full manual condition” withoutexamining the n-1 remaining conditions as “speed conditions”. A properspeed condition can be selected from the n conditions by making theabove search unit search the n conditions for “speed condition” that ismost similar to manual condition i or full manual condition i set inthis manner. The operator may set the condition selected by this searchas “speed condition” again.

This search unit can therefore save the trouble of examining/inspectingn conditions to set “speed condition”. This makes it possible to improvethe operability.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices,and illustrated examples shown and described herein. Accordingly,various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic analyzer for analyzing at least afirst measurement item and a second measurement item different from thefirst measurement item by making a sample and a reagent react with eachother and measuring a reaction result, comprising: at least a firstreaction vessel and a second reaction vessel; a plurality of reagentvessels which stores at least a first reagent corresponding to the firstmeasurement item and a second reagent corresponding to the secondmeasurement item and different from the first reagent; a sampledispensing unit configured to execute a dispensing operation whichincludes an aspiration of a sample and a discharge of a portion of theaspirated sample into the reaction vessels; a reagent dispensing unitconfigured to execute dispensing operations which include a firstaspiration of the first reagent from one of the plurality of reagentvessels, a second aspiration of a second reagent from the other of theplurality of reagent vessels, a first discharge of a portion of theaspirated first reagent into the first reaction vessel and a seconddischarge of a portion of the aspirated second reagent into the secondreaction vessel; a setting unit configured to set at least first andsecond relationships, the first relationship being between a first dummyamount at the first aspiration and the first measurement item, thesecond relationship being between a second dummy amount at the secondaspiration and the second measurement item, the first dummy amount beingan excess amount in addition to an amount of the first reagent requiredfor the first measurement item and the second dummy amount being anexcess amount in addition to an amount of the second reagent requiredfor the second measurement item; a controller configured to determine afirst amount of the first aspiration of the first reagent including thefirst dummy amount in accordance with the first relationship and asecond amount of the second aspiration of the second reagent includingthe second dummy amount in accordance with the second relationship, tocontrol the reagent dispensing unit to exert the first aspiration inaccordance with the first amount and exert the second aspiration inaccordance with the second amount, sequentially; and an analyzing unitconfigured to measure a first reaction result of the sample and thefirst reagent in the first reaction vessel and a second reaction resultof the sample and the second reagent in the second reaction vessel toanalyze specific components of the samples in the first reaction vesseland the second reaction vessel.
 2. The automatic analyzer according toclaim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the first and second dummyamounts according to a condition selected from among pluralpredetermined conditions.
 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim1, further comprising an input through which the first and second dummyamounts are manually input.
 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim1, further comprising an input through which the first and second dummyamounts are manually selected from among plural predetermined dummyamounts.
 5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, furthercomprising an input through which the first and second dummy amounts areset, by changing a coefficient within a mathematical expressionindicating a relationship between the amount of the aspirated first andsecond reagents and the first and second dummy amounts.
 6. The automaticanalyzer according to claim 5, wherein the mathematical expression isdummy amount=(the amount of aspirated reagent×A[%]+B μl), in which A andB are coefficients.
 7. An automatic analyzer for analyzing at least afirst measurement item and a second measurement item different from thefirst measurement item by making a sample and a reagent react with eachother and measuring a reaction result, comprising: at least a firstreaction vessel and a second reaction vessel; a plurality of reagentvessels which store at least a first reagent corresponding to the firstmeasurement item and a second reagent corresponding to the secondmeasurement item and different from the first reagent; a sampledispensing unit configured to execute a dispensing operation whichincludes an aspiration of a sample and a discharge of a portion of theaspirated sample into the reaction vessels; a reagent dispensing unitconfigured to execute dispensing operations which include a firstaspiration of the first reagent from one of the plurality of reagentvessels, a second aspiration of a second reagent from the other of theplurality of reagent vessels, a first discharge of a portion of theaspirated first reagent into the first reaction vessel and a seconddischarge of a portion of the aspirated second reagent into the secondreaction vessel; a setting unit configured to set at least first andsecond relationships, the first relationship being between a first dummyamount at the first aspiration and the first measurement item, thesecond relationship being between a second dummy amount at the secondaspiration and the second measurement item, the first dummy amount beingan excess amount in addition to an amount of the first reagent requiredfor the first measurement item and the second dummy amount being anexcess amount in addition to an amount of the second reagent requiredfor the second measurement item; a controller configured to determine afirst amount of the first aspiration of the first reagent including thefirst dummy amount in accordance with the first relationship and asecond amount of the second aspiration of the second reagent includingthe second dummy amount in accordance with the second relationship, tocontrol the reagent dispensing unit to exert the first aspiration inaccordance with the first amount and exert the second aspiration inaccordance with the second amount, sequentially; and an analyzing unitconfigured to measure a first reaction result of the sample and thefirst reagent in the first reaction vessel and exert the firstaspiration in accordance with the first amount and the second aspirationin accordance with the second amount sequentially to analyze specificcomponents of the samples in the first reaction vessel and the secondreaction vessel.
 8. The automatic analyzer according to claim 7, furthercomprising an input through which the first and second dummy amounts areselected from among plural predetermined conditions.
 9. The automaticanalyzer according to claim 7, further comprising an input through whichthe first and second dummy amounts are manually input.
 10. The automaticanalyzer according to claim 7, further comprising an input through whichthe first and second dummy amounts are manually selected from amongplural predetermined dummy amounts.
 11. The automatic analyzer accordingto claim 7, further comprising an input through which the first andsecond dummy amounts are input to be stored based on changing acoefficient within a mathematical expression indicating a relationshipbetween the amount of the first and second aspirated reagents and thefirst and second dummy amounts.
 12. The automatic analyzer according toclaim 11, wherein the mathematical expression isthe dummy amount=(the amount of aspirated reagent×A[%]+B μl), in which Aand B are coefficients.
 13. An automatic analyzer for analyzing at leasta first measurement item and a second measurement item different fromthe first measurement item comprising: at least a first reaction vesseland a second reaction vessel; a plurality of reagent vessels which storeat least a first reagent corresponding to the first measurement item anda second reagent corresponding to the second measurement item anddifferent from the first reagent; a sample dispensing unit configured toexecute a dispensing operation, which includes an aspiration of a sampleand a discharge of a portion of the aspirated sample into the reactionvessels; a reagent dispensing unit configured to execute dispensingoperations which include a first aspiration of the first reagent fromone of the plurality of reagent vessels, a second aspiration of a secondreagent from the other of the plurality of reagent vessels, a firstdischarge of a portion of the aspirated first reagent into the firstreaction vessel and a second discharge of a portion of the aspiratedsecond reagent into the second reaction vessel; a setting unitconfigured to set at least first and second relationships, the firstrelationship being between a first dummy amount at the first aspirationand the first measurement item the second relationship being between asecond dummy amount at the second aspiration and the second measurementitem, the first dummy amount being an excess amount in addition to anamount of the first reagent required for the first measurement item andthe second dummy amount being an excess amount in addition to an amountof the second reagent required for the second measurement item; acontroller configured to determine a first amount of the firstaspiration of the first reagent including the first dummy amount inaccordance with the first relationship and a second amount of the secondaspiration of the second reagent including the second dummy amount inaccordance with the second relationship, to control the reagentdispensing unit to exert the first aspiration in accordance with thefirst amount and exert the second aspiration in accordance with thesecond amount, sequentially and an analyzing unit configured to measurea first reaction result of the sample and the first reagent in the firstreaction vessel a second reaction result of the sample and the secondreagent in the second reaction vessel, and to analyze specificcomponents of the samples in the first reaction vessel and the secondreaction vessel.